gas van

The gas van is a special product of the Third Reich. It is a van with a gas-tight cabin. To the exhaust pipe of the van, there was attached an exhaust hose. A hole, the thickness of the exhaust hose, was drilled at the bottom of the cabin, and a metal exhaust pipe was melded into this hole. This would be connected to the exhaust hose, so that when the engine was running, the exhaust fumes would be carried into the cabin, where they would spread.

The vans would usually hold 30-50 people, who would, when the engine was turned on, die from CO poisoning.

"In December 1941, when I reported orally the completion of Himmler's order to execute by shooting
the Jews of the Ghetto in Riga to him, Himmler told me that shooting was too complicated an action.
In the shootings, one needed troops who were able to shoot, and that it had a bad influence on
the men. So, said Himmler further, it would be best to liquidate the people
with gas vans, which upon his order had been built in Germany."

On 15th or 16th of August, 1941 Himmler gave the order to start constructing gas vans.